The first Xbox 360 exclusive DLC track has just been added to the XBox Live Marketplace, in the form of the tune “All You Need Is Love”. All proceeds go to benefit Doctors Without Borders. Turns out that you will need more than love to purchase the track, as Microsoft is charging the standard rate of 160 MS points.

XBox360Achievements.org, the authority on gamer score, has posted the achievement list for The Beatles: Rock Band.
Just as you would expect to see, there are many hundreds of points awarded to the expert level player, and for four-player bands. Those are the standard music-game style achievements, and every game has them. What is a nice surprise to see is that there are many Career, Streak and Collectible achievements, slightly similar to Rock Band 1’s list with a mix of venue and progress markers thrown in.

25 points for a 550 note streak on “I Am the Walrus” ? That will be a challenge, but that is nothing compared 140 gamer score you can get for getting no less than 16 gold-star rated songs. The game will definitely not disappoint in the achievement department.

Have you heard that The Beatles have a video game coming out? (That was a bit of a joke). The Beatles: Rock Band comes out everywhere (worldwide) to all systems (Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii) on 09.09.09.

A lot of info has been released for the game. 25 confirmed songs, 6 in-game venues, and new plastic instruments. There’s also a pre-order club, trying to get people to buy the game before its release date.

What do you get by joining the pre-order club? Access to a special web site that gives an early glimpse of things to come. As far as I know (I haven’t pre-ordered the game yet), it’s just a glimpse of new songs, venues, game play, etc. Stuff that will be all over the web within minutes of the pre-order announcement. So, why pre-order? I don’t have the answer. But, I do know that I will be getting the game, so I might be pre-ordering this week to take advantage.

I do know that an announcement will be coming out via the pre-order club today. Check back.

The Conclusion of the Alex Rigopulos and Giles Martin Interview and The Beatles™: Rock Band™ Exclusive Screenshot and Wallpaper
This week we conclude our two part interview from Abbey Road Studios in London with Harmonix CEO and Co-Founder, Alex Rigopulos and Creative Producer and Music Supervisor for The Beatles: Rock Band, Giles Martin.

We got the email announcement early this morning from Harmonix; the website for preordering The Beatles: Rock Band game is live and ready to take anywhere from $60 to $250 are ready to take your hard-earned cash. the fab 4 said it best, “The best things in life are free
But you can keep ’em for the birds and bees
Now give me money”.

Will you be preordering? I have all intentions to pick up the game on day one, but I don’t think I will preorder. I did preorder Rock Band 2 though, because I had some fear that it would sell out on day one. For The Beatles, if it sells out (which I do not think it will), then “Ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on”.

New York, NY – March 5, 2008 – Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band. The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo.

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals.

Please note: Pricing outside of the US to be announced at a later date.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band®, the game was creatively conceived with input and full blessing from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison. Electronic Arts will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix will be made available to fans over the next few months who participate in a pre-order campaign through major retailers. More details on The Beatles: Rock Band game and pre-order will be revealed in the coming months.

UPDATE #2: It’s officially announced by Henry at Harmonix. It’s not Rock Band, but something different.
THE BEATLES INSPIRE NEW MUSIC VIDEO GAME; APPLE CORPS LTD., MTV AND HARMONIX COME TOGETHER FOR UNPRECEDENTED DEAL

Exclusive Agreement Set to Bring The Beatles Music to Fans for the First Time in Interactive Form Here, There and Everywhere in 2009

New York, NY – October 30, 2008 – The Beatles’ extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band®, the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles. The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out,” Sir Paul McCartney said.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership,” said Ringo Starr. “The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in. Let the games commence.”

“It’s cool. I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation for many decades,” said Yoko Ono Lennon.

“People are having so much fun playing Rock Band. Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate,” said Olivia Harrison. “If you like the music, it doesn’t take much persuasion to get you to play.”

“Introducing the genius of The Beatles to a whole new generation of music lovers through original and inspired ways is extremely exciting to us at Apple Corps,” stated Jeff Jones, CEO, Apple Corps. “We are truly pleased to be working with the innovative forces at MTV and Harmonix as they embody our mutual passions for music and creativity.”

“Many of us have been part of a generation that has long enjoyed an enduring love affair with The Beatles and now we’re looking to extend that love affair for future generations to enjoy,” said Van Toffler.” “Our inspiration for this project comes from a keen sense of history and a place of utmost reverence and respect for the band, their music and their heritage.”

“The impact of The Beatles is forever ingrained in the hearts, minds and souls of millions the world over,” said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. “The Beatles are the reason many of us are WHERE we are, and some of us are WHO we are.”

“We are honored to be part of this new way for people to discover the timeless music and art of The Beatles – the most creatively and commercially successful, critically acclaimed, and influential band in the history of popular music,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV’s Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music.

“By presenting their music and artistry through the creative filter of a groundbreaking video game, we are giving legions of fans and music lovers all over the world a profound, new way to experience The Beatles,” said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmonix. “This game will be a celebration of the Beatles undeniable legacy.”

A replay of today’s Apple Corps and MTV announcement will be available beginning at 1:30pm ET through Tuesday, November 4. To access the replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (U.S.) or 719-457-0820 (International) and enter the passcode 7847158.

A satellite feed with art and video assets will be offered today from 12:00pm – 12:30pm ET.